On Saturday I ended up buying more than I intended at the local auction!
Having had a look round on Friday evening and identified a couple of old
valve radios I was interested in, whilst my partner was casting her eye
over the ceramics in another building I came across several pianos and an
Aeolian Pianola under the name of Ferrand.

Having checked the estimated sale price, which was 250 pounds, I didn't
spend much time inspecting it other than to test out the piano action
briefly and to notice the rubber piping was so hard and perished you
could almost cut your finger on it!  From what I remember the piano
action seemed okay.  Well, I didn't need another upright player as I'd
already got one which needed lots doing to it.

But come the next day at the auction, when it came round to the Pianola
and it was going at only 50 pounds with no other bidders -- well, I just
couldn't resist it!  Thoughts of imminent slaughter by my partner were
fortunately dispelled later with the comment, "Well, how are you going to
move it?"

Although it did cost me nearer 90 pounds after commission and someone
else deciding at the last moment to bid, but nevertheless quite a bit
cheaper than my other Pianola which I bought from an antiques warehouse
several years ago for around 200 pounds.  I now have fun trying to move
it!  Luckily a friend in the player piano group has a piano trolley and
has kindly offered to help me move it!

I've noticed that some people (usually traders) seem to have an inflated
idea of what player pianos are worth.  I've seen a number of quite
ordinary players (unrestored and some in quite poor shape case-wise) with
prices between 350-400 pounds.  My other player was originally priced at
nearer 400 pounds including tax.  I often wonder if they ever sell at
those prices to people who don't know any better?  The same seems to go
for rolls too.

Well, I hope that's not to tedious!  I'm not used to writing this sort
of thing, this being only my second time of writing to the Digest, apart
from my introduction.

Regards,
Andy Hood

[ That's a good article, Andy; keep at it and write us again! -- Robbie